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Mon, 3 Dec 2001 21:12:39 -0600 |
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Robert Mann, of New Zealand, wrote:
> But isn't nourishing a pest (such as the fire-ant) unjustified if
> there are reasonable alternatives as have recently been pointed out on
this
> list?
Here in Louisiana, after more than a half-century of co-existence with
fire-ants, we no longer consider them much of a pest. We still complain
about them, out of habit mostly, but they're not really a problem, and they
do provide some benefits such as a reduction in ticks, mites, and snakes.
I'd say they've reached about the same level of resigned toleration as wasps
and other ants. (Or American deer in New Zealand.) A new balance has been
reached.
There are many other things that are more of a nuisance, now. Our weather,
for instance..
Anyway, we can't get rid of fire-ants so we might as well get some use out
of them when we can. Letting them eat up wax-worms seems like a good idea.
Walter Weller
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